Ernest R. Varalli Jr.

Ernest R. Varalli Jr., age 62, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Ernest was born in Collingdale, Pennsylvania to Margaret and Ernest R. Varalli Sr. Ernest graduated from Unionville High School and then continued his studies at both the Cordon Blue in London and the French Culinary Institute in New York City. After working in restaurants in the New York City area, he went on to establish a career as an entrepreneur in the restaurant industry as the chef/owner of two Center City Philadelphia restaurants: Upstares at Varalli and Sotto Varalli. Afterwards, he continued his involvement in the culinary industry as a schoolteacher at Franklin Towne Charter High School in Philadelphia and the owner of Dairy King on Long Beach Island. In addition to his work, Ernest loved to travel, especially to places off the beaten path, like western China and the former Yugoslavia during the early 90's, not to mention many other places from New Zealand to Africa to South America. He was also an avid biker and skier. Ernest is survived by his parents, Ernest R. Varalli Sr. & Margaret (Kelly) Varalli; his partner, Chris Hood Lokay; his sister Margaret (Varalli) Boright (Alec Boright), his sister Ann Varalli McClelland (Robert McClelland), his brother Joseph M. Varalli and his brother Anthony C. Varalli; his nieces, Megan (Boright) Newman (Brian Newman), Lally Boright (Mark Dissen), Caroline McClelland; his nephew John J. Varalli; his great-nephews Bode and Rory Newman. There will be a viewing held on Wednesday, October 18th from 6pm to 8pm at the Alleva Funeral Home (1724 E Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301). A funeral mass will be held the following day, October 19th at at 10am at St. Norbert's Parish (6 Greenlawn Rd, Paoli, PA 19301). Contributions in Ernest's memory may be made to Paoli Hospital Cancer Center, https://www.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/paoli-hospital-foundation , and Abramson Cancer Center, https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/giving Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on Ernest's memorial page at www.AllevaFuneralHome.com